Overfeed-stoker.



No. 820,528. PATBNTED MAY 15, 1906. A. D. SOUTHAM. OVERPEED STOER.

APPLIGATIONILED NOT/.2, 1903.

2 SHBETS*SHEET 1A Sme/Wto@ 351 J A' @Movnua No. 820,528. PATENTED MAYl5, 1906.

A. D. SOUTHAM.

OVERFEED STOKER.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

s mdwm UNITED sTATns ARTHUR DUDIiEY SOUTHAM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

OVERFEED-STOKER.

Specication of Letters Patent.

ratentecl May 15, 1906.

Application filed November 2,1903. Serial No. 179,568.

T0 all whom, if may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR DUDLEY SOUTHAM, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, andState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inOverfeed-Stokers, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is aside elevation of the apparatus; Fig. 2, a longitudinal verticalsectional view thereof; Fig. 3, a horizontal sectional view, a portionof the apparatus being shown in plan; and Fig. 4, a transverse sectionalview on the line IV IV of Fig. 2. Fig.

5 is a detail vertical sectional view of the i means for adjusting thelconnection between the ram and the ram-operating lever.

T his invention relates to that class of mechanical stokers in whichsmall quantities of coal or coal-dust are periodically thrown orsprinkled over the surface of the fire and known as overfeed orsprinkler stokers.

The mechanism may for the purpose of this explanation be convenientlydescribed under the following divisions: first, the reservoir,feeding-ram, and its mechanism; second, the sprinkler or shovel and itsactuating mechanism.. j

Referring to the various parts by letters, N

` designates a reservoir or hopper for containing coal or coal-dust, andpreferably provided with a suitable screen or grid at its lower end forthe purpose of preventing large lumps of coal from entering themechanism. The supply of fuel in this hopper may be replenished as andwhen required by hand'or continuously through a suitable coal-chute.This hopper is mounted upon the upper side of a box or casing, whichinclines slightly inward and downward, said hopper being secured theretonear the outer end thereof. The inner end of this casing is providedwith a vertical wall or flange by which it may be secured to the frontwall of a furnace by suitable bolts or other fastening means. Theinterior of this casing is divided horizontally by a feed-table T, theinner end of this table terminating short of the inner vertical wall ofthe casing, so that the fuel may be dropped off said table into thecompartment below. The lower compartment is about half the length of theupper compartment and its lower wall curves inward and downward to forma curved bed on which the fuel drops from the feed-table. The uppercompartment thus formed in the casing contains the feeding-ram R, andthe lower compartment contains the pivotally-inounted sprinkler orshovel S. In the front wall of the casing below the lower compartment isarranged the fire-door D, this door being adapted to be used when firststarting the Jrire or when raking the same. It is also obvious that thisdoor may be used when stoking the fire by hand in the usual manner.Provision is made for regulating the admission of air over the fire bymeans of a register or damper F,

.forming a part of the fire-door.

I designates an inspection-door which closes the outef end of the uppercompartment, said door being hinged at its upper edge and giving accessto the feeding-rain, and D3 designates a sliding door mounted in thelower wall of the lower compartment,

which gives access to the shovel.

The feed-table T has on the part of its upper surface which is nearestthe fire a number of jagged teeth t t, with their edges pointing towardthe feed-ram, the purpose of which projections is to prevent the fuelfrom rolling or sliding down the surface except when pushed down by theaction of the feeding-ram R, in the manner hereinafter described.Alternately I may use one or more suspended check-arches C2, as shown inFigs. 2 and 4. check-arch is important when using certain classes ofcoal, and more especially so when the stoker is fixed tolocomotive-boilers or on board ships Where there is much vibration.

The fuel contained in the reservoir N is by the forward movement of theram R periodically fed in predetermined quantities over the edge of thetable T and deposited on the bottom ledge at W in front of the sprinkleror shovel S during the period when the shovel is being drawn back awayfrom the fire.

The feeding-ram R, which is supported on both sides b y the shortprojecting ribs I P, has a horizontal backward and forward slidingmotion actuated and controlled by the arm Ii, which is pivoted at A. Oneend of this lever forms operative connection with the feed-ram by meansof the jaws J J2, located on the lower side of the feed-ram and engagingwith the projection at the end of The presence of these teeth or a IOO "a certain level, especially if coal-dust be used thearm. The free end ofthis lever is provided at V with a roller which forms operativeconnection with the adjustable disks ,D and D2, hereinafter described.The face of the feed-rain is preferably concave, as shown in Fig. 8, andis provided with a sharp cutting edge to assist in breaking up any largelumps of coal.

The scraper-plate S P is pivoted at the top edge of the case andpreferably has its lower edge beveled, so that the latter may restevenly either on the upper surface of the dead-plate D P or the uppersurface of the feed-ram R when the dead-plate is adjusted to its outerposition, as hereinafter described. Now when the ram is drawn back aspace is left in front of the concave face at R, which space isimmediately filled with coal, this coal being in turn pushed along thetable T and presence of the scraper-plate by preventing the coal on thesurface of the ram from being carried back insures the fuel being pushedinto the space in frontof the ram-face. For the purpose of regulatingthe amount of feed by the ram the dead-plate D P is adjustable and maybe made to advance and partially cover, and thereby render inoperative agreater or lesser portion of the space formed by the withdrawal of theram. The front edge of this dead-plate is preferably beveled, thustending to prevent any coal-dust from getting underneath it. AlternatelyI may vary the stroke of the ram R by varying the distance between thejaws J and J2, said jaws being adjustable for this purpose.

The suspended check-arch C2 has its action controlled by the spiralspring s, attached to the vertical arm a, located outside the case, thetension of the spring being adjusted by the screw Z). Its function is tocheck any fall of the fuel other than the amount fed by the action ofthe ram R. This falling or leaking of the fuel is sometimes liable tooccur when the supply of coal in the reservoir falls below and there ismuch vibration, as would be the case with railroad-locomotives. Theelasticity of the spring s permits a swinging motion to the arch andallows the pushing through of the fuel when fed by the ram. The amountof fuel fed by the ram may also be approximately varied by altering thetension of the spring by means of the screw b.

Y When'there 1s much vibration and dry coaldust is used, I may employ asecond checkarch over i t.

The main shaft M, which rotates in the direction indicated by the curvedarrow in Fig. 1, has keyed on it two disks D and D2. These disks haveformed thereon a series of vanes or oblique blades v v2 v3 v4 and V V2V3 V4, respectively, in such a manner that they cause the roller V, andconsequently the arm Isautes L, to oscillate to and fro, therebyoperating ous oscillation of the arm L. The amount of fuel thus fed anddeposited at W by each oscillation of the ram can be very accurately`regulated by varying the distance through which the ram travels, and I4therefore make the effective throw of the blades adjustable,

thereby increasing or decreasing the travel through which they operatethe arm L. This `may conveniently be done by adjusting the.

position of D or D2 by means of the lock-nuts j x. deposited in front onthe shovel at W. The

The positions of the blades on the circumference of the disks D and D2are adjusted :and synchronized with reference to the arms or projectionsE E2 E3 E4 on the cam-wheel E, which operates the shovel S, so that themovement of the ram and shovel whereby view. `The upper surface isentirely covered with a plate or sheet Y Y, slightly curved downward, sothat any fuel accidentally falling thereon will roll down the incline toW.

The shovel S is suitably attached tothe ICO shovel-lever H, whichpassing through `a slot at the bottom of the casing is pivoted on one orboth sides of the casing at H and forms part of or is attached to therocking lever A2 B2, also pivoted at H. Keyed to the main shaft M is thecam-wheel E, having armsE/ E2 E3 E4, all of unequal length.

' C is a cylinder or case of uniform bore oscillating on the bearing Gand containing an air-tight plunger or piston P2 of suitableconstruction ,with a piston-rod() attached thereto. The outer end of thepiston-rod is pivoted to the upper end of the rocking lever A2. A springF for propelling the shovel forward is coile round the piston-rod andconfined in the front part of the cylinder between the piston andthefront cover K. The cover K` IIO stood that the cylinder C may be pivotedin any desired manner to permit lit to accommodate itself to themovement of the lever A2. I find it advantageous in some constructionsof the machine to place the pivot G at the rear or outer end of thecylinder directly in line with the piston rod O. This manner of pivotingthe cylinder eliminates all side strains and holds the cylinder alwaysin axial alinement with the piston-rod.

Confined in the rear part of the cylinder by the back cover Q is theshorter spring B to assist in bringing the shovel to rest without shockor `ar. The position of the spring B may also e regulated by adjustingthe back cylinder-cover Q, which is rovided with a uniform screw-threadfor t at pur ose and does not allow the air to escape. t A is a smallair-hole in such a position that any vacuum created by the forwardmotion of the piston is destroyed on the piston passing that point. Onthe spring-propelled piston being released any sudden shock or jar tothe mechanism is prevented by the cushioning caused by the compressionof air in the rear of the cylinder between A and Q, assisted by thecompression of the recoil-spring B. Now on the main shaft M beingrotated in the direction shown by the arrow the lower end of the rockinglever A2 B2, which is made of sufiicient -width to 'withstand wear, iscarried back by one of the arms E of the sprocketwheel. This motion ofthe rocking lever pulls back the shovel against the action of the springF, the extent of such motion being determined by the length of theparticular arm in action. Simultaneously the feedram R has moved forwardand deposited fuel in front of the shovel at W. On the sprocketwheelcontinuing to rotate the rocking lever is suddenly released at B2.Consequently the shovel is quickly propelled forward by the backwardmovement of the spring-actuated piston. The amount of compression givento the spring, and consequently the force of the impulse of theshovel,is determined by the length of the arms E E2 E3 E4, these beingso arranged as to sprinkle the fuel over various sections of thefire-grate in succession.

I claim- 1. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a casing adaptedto be secured to the front wall of a furnace, a hopper at the upperouter end thereof and in communication with the interior of said casing,a feed-table dividing said casing into an upper and a lower compartmentthe lower compartment being in communication with the furnace through anopening in the front wall of the casing, a reclprocating feed-ramworking on the feedtable, an adjustable dead-plate movable over the ram,a shovel in the lower part below the feed-table, means for pivotallymounting said shovel, means for swinging said shovel rearward, a springfor projecting the shovel forward.

2. In an overfeed-stoker the combination of a main reservoir, a casinglocated below said reservoir, a feed-table in said casing and partiallydividing the same, a number of jagged teeth or projections on the uppersurface of said table, a feed-ram adapted to slide on said feed-table,means for operating said feed-ram, means for regulating the throw of theram, an adjustable dead-plate above the ram, an inclined scraper-platepivotally supported near the top of the divided casing its lower edgebeing beveled and resting on the dead-plate, a swinging shovel orsprinkler below the feed-table, a spring for moving said shovel forward,and means forretracting the shovel.

3. Ina mechanical stoker the combination of a hopper, a ram-compartmentconnected therewith and adapted to receive fuel therefrom, a ramtherein, means for operating said ram, a feed-table in the bottom ofsaid ramcompartment, a shovel-compartment below the ram-compartment andadapted to receive fuel from the inner end of the feed-table, ascraper-plate mounted above the ram, its lower end extending near to theupper' surface of the rain and preventing fuel moving rearward on theram, a dead-plate above the ram and adapted to slide under thescraperplate a shovel in the shovel-comp artment, and means foroperating the shovel to force fuel from the shovel-compartment.

4. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a main fuel-reservoir, acasing below said reservoir, a feed-table located in said casing anddividing the same into a shovel-compartlment and a ram-compartment andprovided with upward-extending projections on its inner end, a ram abovesaid table, means for operating said ram to force the fuel inward onsaid table, and over the upward-extending projection thereon, anadjustable deadplate above the ram at the outer end thereof, ascraper-plate pivotally supported above the dead-plate, its lower edgeresting on said plate, a shovel mounted to move in theshovel-compartment, and means for operating said shovel.

5. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a hopper, arain-compartment connected therewith, a ram in said compartment, meansfor operating said ram, a feed-table at the bottom of saidram-compartment, a shovelcompartment below the said table and adapted toreceive fuel from the inner end thereof, a shovel in theshovel-compartment, means for pivotally mounting said shovel, a leverconnected to the shovel and movable therewith, means for moving saidlever in one direction to swing the shovel rearward in its icompartment, a cylinder pivotally mounted,

IOO

IIC

a piston therein, a iston-rod connected to said piston and to t e lever,a spring within said cylinder and adapted to be compressed by the pistonwhenthe shovel is moved rearward, a buffer-sprin inw said cylinder saidcylinder being forme with an aperture in its side wall whereby one endof the cylinder will be in open communication with the atmosphere whenthe shovel is in its rearward position.

6. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a hopper, a ram-compartmentconnected therewith, aram in said compartment formed with a sharpcutting edge on its forward striking-face, means for operating said ram,a feed-table at the bottom of said ram-compartment, upward-extendingteeth formed on said table near its inner end, a swinging yieldablecheck-arch above the feed-table, a shovelcompartment below theram-compartment and receiving fuel from the inner end of the feed-table,a scraper-plate mounted above the ram, a shovel in theshovel-compartment, means for operating the shovel to force fuel fromthe shovel-com artment.

7. In a mechanica stoker the combination of a ram-compartment, afuel-container connected therewith, a ram therein, means for operatingthe ram, a feed-table at the bottom of said ram-c ompartment, ashovel-compartment below the ram-compartment and adapted to receive fuelfrom the inner end of the feed-table, a shovel in the shovel-compartmentits front edge being V-shaped in plan view and provided with a top platewhose forward edge extends beyond the front face of the shovel, saidfront edge being curved downward whereby said projecting top plate willprevent fuel being thrown back on the shovel, and means for operatingthe shovel to force fuel from the shovel-compartment.

8. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a casing adapted to besecured to the front wall of a furnace, a hopper at the upper outer endthereof and in communication with the interior of said casing, afeed-table dividing said casing into upper and lower compartments, thelower compartment being in communication with the furnace through anopening in the front wall of the casing, a reciprocating feed-ramworking on the feedtable, an adjustable dead-plate movable over the ram,a'scraper-plate adapted to work on the dead-plate, a shovel in the lowercompartment below the feed-table, and means for pivotally mountingsaidshovel, means for swinging said shovel rearward, a spring forprojecting the shovel forward, and means for providing an air-cushion tobring the shovel to a stop without a jar. I

9. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a casing adapted to besecured to the front wall of a furnace, a feed-hopper in communicationwith the upper outer end of said casing, a feed-table dividing saidcasing into an upper and a lower compartment, the lower compartmentbeing in communication with the furnace through an opening in the frontwall of the casing, a reciprocating ram mounted on the feed-table, meansfor reciprocating said feed-ram, a swinging shovel mounted in the .lowercompartment, means for forcing said shovel rearward, a cylinder providedwith an air-release hole or port, a piston therein, and meansoperatively connecting said piston to the shovel whereby when the shovelis moved rearward the spring will be placed under tension, means forproviding a cushion to receive the piston when the spring is released toswing the shovel forward, and a cushioning-spring in the cylinder toreceive the impact of the piston.

l0. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a casing adapted to besecured to the front wall of a furnace, a feed-hopper in communicationwith the outer upper end of said casing, a feed-table dividing saidcasing into an upper and a lower compartment, the

lower compartment being in communication with the furnace through anopening in the front wall of the casing, a reciprocating feedram mountedon the feed-table, means for reciprocating said feed-ram, an adjustabledead-plate movable over the outer end of said ram, a scraper-platepivoted in the top of the casing and inclining inward and downward, itslower edge resting on the dead-A plate, a swingingshovel mounted in thelower compartment, means for forcing said shovel rearward, a cylinder, apiston therein, a spring interposed between said piston and one end ofthe cylinder, and means operatively connecting said piston to the shovelwhereby when the shovel is moved rearward the spring lwill be placedunder a tension, means for providing a cushion to receive the pistonwhen the spring is released ,to swing the shovel forward, a door closingthe outer end of the upper compartment and a door in the bottom of thelower compartment..

11. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a casing adapted to besecured to the front wall of a furnace, a feed-hopper in communicationwith the upper outer end of said casing, a feed-table dividing saidcasing into an upper and a lower compartment, the

lower compartment being in communication therein, a spring interposedbetween saidl IOO IIO

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my piston and one end of thecylinder, means l signature, in the presence of two witnesses,

operatively connecting said piston to the shovel whereby when the shovelis moved this 8th day of' October, 1903;l rearward the spring will beplaced under teni ARTHUR DUDLEY SOUTHAM. sion, and means for providing acushion to Witnesses:

receive the piston when the spring is re- JOHN W. THoMAs,

leased to swing the shovel forward. ERNALD S. MosELEY.

